Daniel Robert Epstein: Al Goldstein

DANIEL ROBERT EPSTEIN: Al Goldstein

While I’m pretty sure that SuicideGirls might not exist without the efforts of Screw Magazine founder Al Goldstein, I bet a lot of people on this site might not give a shit whether he lives or dies. Well at this point that concept sits well with Goldstein because he is lonely, penniless and very suicidal. After losing control of Screw a few years ago, Goldstein has only survived since then due to the financial generosity of comedian Penn Jillette. But perhaps Goldstein’s new autobiography, I, Goldstein:...

I read something about him a couple of years ago and he sounded pretty sad, but he had a girlfriend and this seemed to keep him somewhat happy. I was sort of hoping things would pick up for him, because he sort of reminds me of my father. But, now he sounds like the saddest fucking man on the face of the Earth. Too bad.

I understand that depending on the circumstance, everyone deserves some type of 2nd chance. In his case, I just think that he burned his own bridges; including his son's. I know personally it would be emotionally hard for me to help a relative that stabbed me in the back. Yet again, I'd probably arrange something so @ least he'd have enough cash to live on. I wouldn't be able to handle it if my dad were to the point of homeless. I would be thinnking "After all, he did give me life!" Damn...that suicide talk is such a fucking cop-out. That's the only part of the interview that had me put off...

More offputting was his need of a relationship with a woman to keep him alive. Sounds very codependent.

Honestly, I don't know what to make of the guy. He seems mean-spirited, but certainly a character and that counts for something, I suppose.

More than anything, I wanted to mention as an interview, it is totally compelling. Great job, Daniel. I'm enjoying your stuff here.

I met Al Golstein at a Libertarian Party national convention many moons ago and he seemed very bright and humorous. Sure, he was (and still is apparently) crude in the way he expressed himself often, but the guy is genuine. Even though he can be quite the prick, it surprises me how 99.9% of those he knew and helped have turned their backs on him completely. The man still has a lot to offer, especially in these politically correct times. I'd love to see him get back into the business and shake things up again.

i saw al goldstein at a burger king in ny a few years ago but i was too scared of him to talk to him.

And yet he wonders why he's doomed to be isolated and alone? Amazing that he's lived so long - and yes, "accomplished" so much - and yet, learned so very, very little.

This IS a very interesting interview and I sincerely hope he doesn't kill himself, but give me a break with the pleas for sympathy in one breath and the irredeemably base and vile bullshit in the next.

You reap what you sow, kids.

The guys amazingMidnight Blue

Fucking awesome interview!

Here I am giving Hugh Hefner and Larry Flynt all the credit and me being naive, I completely forgot to mention Goldstein. Fuck!

Even though he's homeless, I still envy him for tasting Linnea Quigley's pussy. Damn I would have like to have tasted that back in the day, and I completely believe him when he says it's the best he's ever tasted. You can almost taste her from her old movies, she looks so yummy.

Actually, I take that back. I've been homeless before and it sucks worse than anything but bad health.

Thanks Goldstein for what you did. Too bad your son is a heartless prick. 250k is a lot of money. Hell, I make half of that and I help out several close friends and will keep any of my relatives from being homeless. What a heartless asshole. I'll never do business with that firm as long as he's there.

Oh, forgot to add, Penn & Teller are cool. I don't agree with all their politics, but agree with a lot of it, and good to see Penn's a good guy as well as being outspoken against political correctness.

The whole industrial west is run by uptight, cocksucking accountants, not just a few magaazines.

Goldstein was/is such an asshole, but I think he generally honestly said what he thought. One of the only other public figures I can think of who seems similarly direct and honest is Howard Stern, although Stern is a lot more likeable. It is surprising nobody killed Goldstein a long time ago. But, I admit, hating him is a pleasure.